Louisville Recruiting, Marquette Recruiting

LOUISVILLE OUT AS JOSH LANGFORD RE-OPENS RECRUITMENT

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Marquette among new favorites for Huntsville (AL) native

by IVAN MCDOWELL, special to NBE Basketball Report

Huntsville (AL) native Joshua Langford has proven he is one of the top young forwards in the country; he’s consistently ranked amongst the top 100 players (2010) in the nation by several recruiting services. After committing to Louisville last summer, Langford will re-open his recruitment process to other schools.

“I’m just not feeling them anymore. I’ve talked with my mom and we’re going to open it back up sometime this week,” remarked Langford, who transferred this summer to rival Lee High from J.O. Johnson.

Possessing superior athleticism and a knack for attacking the basket, the senior forward is still transforming himself from an interior presence into a more perimeter threat. Josh can now put the ball on the floor effectively and stroke the jumper out to three-point line. An integral part of Langford’s makeover on the court has been his move from the post to the perimeter.

“I’ve been working real hard this summer to bring more versatility to my game; which will make me much more difficult to defend,” stated Langford, who toiled with the Florida Rams AAU program this summer.

High major programs such as Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, Marquette, Auburn, UAB, UNLV, Chattanooga, and Tennessee comprise Langford’s new list.

“Right now I’d have to say my favorites are Georgia, Chattanooga, Marquette and Illinois,” in no particular order.

“Louisville hasn’t been in to see Josh in six weeks. They’re starting to call again, but he’s told me he’s ready to move on from them,” opined Lee High Coach Greg Brown.

In his final year of prep basketball, Josh says he’s glad he made the change to Lee High.

“It has been great,” exclaimed Langford. “There’s just a different atmosphere here; as far as basketball, school and everything. I’m no longer confined to the post here; I’ll be all over the floor this year and that’s much more comfortable for me.”

The 6-foot-6, 2010 forward has also made considerable progress in the classroom as well; he has now passed the graduate exam, improved his ACT score by three points and recently re-took the test. Those scores have yet to come in.

Aiding in his development is junior Devin Langford, Josh’s cousin, and now teammate. The 6-foot-7, 2011 combo, is long, athletic and along with Josh, forms the most lethal front line in North Alabama. Devin’s influence is not lost on Josh.

“It’s great to play with my cousin; we feed off one another and we’ll be tough to stop this season,” thought Devin, who played AAU ball with the Alabama Challenge.

Illinois (leader at this point), Marquette, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Chattanooga, Tulane, UNLV and Maryland, have all been in to see Devin and have offered scholarships. Heavyweights Duke and UNC have shown interest as well.

The two Langford’s are even considering playing together in college.

“Man, we’ve had four or five coaches in here a day since we started practice and Devin and Josh have been who most of the coaches have come to see,” says Coach Brown, who has placed nine players in Division I schools over the last three years.

“It’s definitely something we’re considering, but it’s not a deciding factor,” says Josh.

Clearly looking more relaxed and feeling more confident, Langford is also growing as a young man. He says he wants to devote more time to spirituality and spreading the word about his Christian faith.

“I’m trying to get my life in order and put things into perspective. My faith is very important (he wants to eventually become a minister) to me; I want to succeed in the classroom, on the court, but most importantly in life.”

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